Dear PoPville

Looking for Sentimental Bench taken after Petworth Porchfest and Lost Earring at the Wharf

By Prince Of Petworth

Should you have any info please email at [email protected] and I’ll pass on to OP. THanks!

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I put a bench down next to the sidewalk at 4711 4th Street for Porchfest, so folks could sit while they watched the bands, and we hadn’t yet brought it back up to the porch. (Stupid, I know.) Sometime between last night and this morning, it went missing. Probably someone assumed we were giving it away. But the iron part is a headboard that my Grandpa made for the twin bed I slept in for 18 years, and my Dad, who now has ALS and is mostly paralyzed, made it into this bench for me. It was the last thing he ever made, so it’s really important to me.”

Also: “Long Shot – Lost Earring at the Wharf (more…)

“the 6-year anniversary of the work order to fix the torn net approaches”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

As the 6-year anniversary of the work order to fix the torn net approaches, DPR has continued to refuse to address this dangerous situation. I am attaching DGS Oversight Hearing Testimony (PDF) I submitted at a February oversight hearing. Having received no response to my questions, last week I contacted the Office of Risk Management. Less than 24 hours later, the Tort Liability Program Administrator and Assistant Deputy General Counsel in the Office of Risk Management responded (this is a direct quote with names omitted):

“I learned about this issue late in the day yesterday…[names omitted]…We all agree this is a safety issue that must be repaired.”

Unfortunately, (more…)

“Missed Connection: Looking to redeem $1 voucher found in Easter Egg in P Street Beach”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was with my dog at a very overgrown P Street Beach in Dupont on Thursday afternoon when I spotted something blue and shiny in the jungle-like grass. At first I thought it was a ball that I could rehome for my dog (not that he needs more toys), but upon picking up the egg-shaped object, I realized it was, in fact, an egg.

I opened the egg to find the following voucher, redeemable for $1. As you might imagine, this was incredibly exciting. President Trump is bound and determined to tank the global economy, but here some kind soul is giving out free dollar bills in eggs. There was just one problem: I have no way to redeem this voucher.

Looking on the back of the voucher only further confused me, as there seemed to be some sort of secret code that I presumably am supposed to use to find the hider of the egg and retrieve my $1. The only trouble is, I never took a code decoding class in school and haven’t seen National Treasure in years, so I’m at a bit of a loss. (more…)

About all the police/media outside Orbit DC on 18th Street, NW yesterday

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I saw at least half a dozen cops, including one undercover and some in bulletproof vests make a huge scene out of shutting down Orbit DC and Hip Hop Museum on 18th street today for marijuana licensing. There were maybe 8-10 vehicles, camera crews and the Commissioner of ABCA ready to give an interview right away. The entire effort seemed like a press opp.

The lovely woman who works there is a neighborhood gem and was handcuffed and taken away. I’d love to know if anyone is aware of the charges against her and if there are any efforts to support legal fees for her. I believe she’s a documented immigrant and know she has made the neighborhood safer for everyone by sitting outside, giving out dog treats, and even being a witness for a bike accident.”

From ABCA:

“Today, April 24, 2025, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and Metropolitan Police department closed and padlocked Orbit DC located at 1919-1921 18th Street NW marking the District Government’s 50th illegal cannabis shop closure in DC.

Illegal shop closures have taken place across the city with 17 in Ward 1, 10 in Wards 2 and 6, seven in Ward 4, three in Ward 5, and one in Wards 3, 7 and 8 each respectively. (more…)

A New Scam in Town?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I think there might be a new scam in town. Yesterday by 14th and RI around 7:30am this woman walked up to me looking flustered and said her wallet and purse were just stolen, but she had her phone. She was asking for money to get a cab to Bethesda when I said I didn’t have cash she asked if I had cash app or Zelle (which I don’t). She was very insistent that I go to an atm with her 2 blocks up and when I told her I don’t have a debit card but we should stop into one of the surrounding businesses and see if they can call her a cab she was just very insistent that I give her money and reiterated the ATM. Once I told her I didn’t have a debit card again she kind of dropped the act and said “I’ll just keep asking people” and walked away. Anyway, I just walked past her again today carrying a wad of cash but in the same dress and talking on the phone. (more…)

“Recs for yard maintenance”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by rockcreek

And speaking of spring cleaning:

“Dear PoPville,

I searched the site for landscape vendors and got a few names though the recs were from 2012, Can you post a request for recs? I’ve got a yard that needs regular grass cut and occasional yard clean up. The home is on a corner lot in Petworth.”

“heard anything about how long it is taking to get a tax refund from DC for Tax Year 2024?”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by brunofish

“Dear PoPville,

We have a simple straightforward return with normal income and deductions. Our CPA e-filed both our federal and DC tax returns on the same date of March 5, 2024.

The IRS processed our federal return in 11 days and paid the refund two days later.

The “Check the Status of My Refund” on the DC website says, (more…)

“Common Apartment Issues – weird electrical usage issues”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about weird electrical usage issues from an apartment building they were renting from. I’ve been having these issues since the beginning of the year and it doesn’t seem like my insanely high bills are associated with the Pepco electrical charge increase – I don’t even have my AC/heater units on.

My apartment is only 650 sqft, Jan was over 300x more than last year, and every subsequent month has been 100-200x more. All that without having the AC/heater running since the cold snaps in January…”

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